Stephen Curry proved that the Warriors' success was still up to him to start and end "numerically powerful" back in the Bay, but Stephen still needed to be Stephen to play a role

<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" data-track="1" > "quantitative power" has returned to the bay, Stephen still needs to be Stephen to function</h1>

SAN FRANCISCO — If you need proof that golden state Warriors' success began with Stephen Curry, then you just have to look at their thrilling home opener at Chase Center on Thursday to beat the Los Angeles Clippers 115-113.

Opening: Curry hit all nine of his shots, all five of his three-pointers and his two free throws all of his 25 points in the first quarter.

In the end: Curry scored 10 of the Warriors' last 13 points, including two dagger three-point bombs, locking in a win that almost slipped off his fingertips.

Named for the NBA game before the 75th Anniversary Team, Curry scored 45 points and 10 rebounds in a 16-for-25 shoot that included an 8-for-13 range from 3 points. It was a dazzling show on a night when the Warriors became the NBA's only prime-time spotlight.

"I want all of them to play, no matter how ridiculous it is that he decides to accept some of them," Warriors forward Draymond Green said of Curry's shots. "You're still expecting them to play because he threw these ridiculous butts and that's what he's done in his career. That's how he became. That's why he's great. That's why he became one of the top players "in this league, and one of the top players who has ever played this game." Tough pitchers, tough shot makers. ”

Before the game, Commissioner Adam Silver was posing with fans outside the high-end Miller and Lux Steakhouse near the Chase Center Media Entrance. Legendary Bay Area rapper E-40 performs at halftime. The promise of a return to glory and potential coronation is pending. None of this would have happened if Curry had ceased to be one of the most entertaining and extraordinary players in basketball.

However, Curry's one-man show last season was not the theme of the 2021-22 season. Preseason showcased a cohesive unit with multiple threats at both ends of the pitch. The story of the Golden State Warriors' victory over LeBron James' Los Angeles Lakers in the season opener on Tuesday is that the supporting cast has the ability to overcome Curry's 5-of-21 shooting night — and last season's Warriors will almost certainly not be spared.

For at least a few years, the Warriors' mantra of "numerical power" in the mid-2010s really applied.

"I don't know whose night it will be, but there are players who can play, do what they ask and go from there," said Damien Lee, who knocked down two key three-pointers in the game to win Thursday's fourth quarter. "If you look at the list, we have a lot of guys who want to continue to prove themselves in this league or later in their careers. Just know what you do and contribute every night. It doesn't matter who gets the praise. ”

On Thursday, however, those numbers were reduced. Jordan Poole, who was carried away in preseason and season openers, went 4-for-14 games and promised 7 turnovers. Nemanja Bjelica scored 15 points against the Lakers and ended the game with 6 points on Thursday without shooting a three-pointer. The Golden State Warriors also made 21 turnovers against the Clippers, though Curry was a big part of his own 6 turnovers.

Many aspects of this Warriors team — both good and bad — were on display throughout the game. The first quarter was a beautiful and unselfish game of basketball, with the Golden State Warriors shooting 15-of-19 and 9-of-13 from three-point range. In the second quarter, they shot 9-of-20 and 1-of-5 from the three-point line, making eight turnovers.

Stephen Curry is at the center of it all. Apparently, his 25 points were a big part of the first quarter outburst, but he was also the main culprit in the second quarter decline, shooting 1-of-5 from the field and making four turnovers on the Clippers' offense. The physical fitness of the defense and the energy of the Golden State Warriors weakened.

Even the crowd at the Chase Center, like Oracle Arena, sounds different when Curry is present. You can watch the game blindfolded and still recognize every time Curry touches the ball because of the unique and indescribable buzz coming from the stands. For a team that plays in front of a crowded stadium for the first time in more than a year, it would be a big difference if Curry could take the enthusiasm to a different level.

"I think our fans played an important role in this win. The energy there is unbelievable," Cole said after the game. "It's amazing to feel this energy for the first time in years."

While the Warriors' depth increases their ceiling as potential title contenders, especially when Klay Thompson and James Wiseman return, their fate ends up in Curry's skilled hands. He proved that last season was no fluke, he can still reach the level of MVP, and his new support line-up can even take his game to new heights.

"Hopefully we can continue to build culture and real home advantage here," Curry said after the game. "Because it's in its third season (at chase center), we haven't had that chance yet."